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US6767381B2 - Method of producing compost tea and apparatus therefor - Google Patents

Method of producing compost tea and apparatus therefor Download PDF

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Publication number
US6767381B2
US6767381B2 US10/033,132 US3313201A US6767381B2 US 6767381 B2 US6767381 B2 US 6767381B2 US 3313201 A US3313201 A US 3313201A US 6767381 B2 US6767381 B2 US 6767381B2
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Prior art keywords
tank
compost
basket
aqueous solution
conduit
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US20020108498A1 (en
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Theodore C. Huhn
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    • CCHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C05FERTILISERS; MANUFACTURE THEREOF
    • C05FORGANIC FERTILISERS NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES C05B, C05C, e.g. FERTILISERS FROM WASTE OR REFUSE
    • C05F9/00Fertilisers from household or town refuse
    • C05F9/04Biological compost
    • CCHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C05FERTILISERS; MANUFACTURE THEREOF
    • C05FORGANIC FERTILISERS NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES C05B, C05C, e.g. FERTILISERS FROM WASTE OR REFUSE
    • C05F17/00Preparation of fertilisers characterised by biological or biochemical treatment steps, e.g. composting or fermentation
    • C05F17/40Treatment of liquids or slurries
    • CCHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C05FERTILISERS; MANUFACTURE THEREOF
    • C05GMIXTURES OF FERTILISERS COVERED INDIVIDUALLY BY DIFFERENT SUBCLASSES OF CLASS C05; MIXTURES OF ONE OR MORE FERTILISERS WITH MATERIALS NOT HAVING A SPECIFIC FERTILISING ACTIVITY, e.g. PESTICIDES, SOIL-CONDITIONERS, WETTING AGENTS; FERTILISERS CHARACTERISED BY THEIR FORM
    • C05G5/00Fertilisers characterised by their form
    • C05G5/20Liquid fertilisers
    • C05G5/23Solutions
    • YGENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02ATECHNOLOGIES FOR ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02A40/00Adaptation technologies in agriculture, forestry, livestock or agroalimentary production
    • Y02A40/10Adaptation technologies in agriculture, forestry, livestock or agroalimentary production in agriculture
    • Y02A40/20Fertilizers of biological origin, e.g. guano or fertilizers made from animal corpses
    • YGENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02PCLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS
    • Y02P20/00Technologies relating to chemical industry
    • Y02P20/141Feedstock
    • Y02P20/145Feedstock the feedstock being materials of biological origin
    • YGENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02WCLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO WASTEWATER TREATMENT OR WASTE MANAGEMENT
    • Y02W30/00Technologies for solid waste management
    • Y02W30/40Bio-organic fraction processing; Production of fertilisers from the organic fraction of waste or refuse
    • YGENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10STECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10S435/00Chemistry: molecular biology and microbiology
    • Y10S435/818Aeration or oxygen transfer technique

Definitions

  • Compost tea is a solution used to condition soil for healthy growth of plants.
  • Compost tea has been recognized as a product that can reduce or eliminate the use of pesticides and synthetic fertilizers.
  • the positive values of compost tea have been established through University studies and practical experience.
  • Compost tea has typically been prepared by brewing compost in water. A variety of apparatus and techniques are disclosed in the “Compost Tea Brewing Manual.”
  • the instant invention provides a method and apparatus for the efficient production of compost tea from organic matter.
  • the present invention provides an apparatus for producing compost tea comprising:
  • a fluid conduit having a first end submerged at the bottom end of the tank, and a second end positioned over the extraction basket, and
  • a compressed air supply operatively connected to the bottom portion of the conduit to force the aqueous solution up through the conduit.
  • the instant invention further provides a method for producing compost tea comprising:
  • a fluid conduit having first and second ends, the fluid conduit having a first end submerged at the bottom of the tank, and a second end positioned to impinge on the compost in the extraction basket, and
  • the Figure is a schematic, cross-sectional illustration of one embodiment of the present invention.
  • tank 1 contains water or aqueous solution 2 .
  • Extraction basket 3 is positioned above the tank.
  • the basket contains compost 4 .
  • Fluid conduit 5 has first end 5 A submerged at the bottom end of the tank, and a second end 5 B positioned over the extraction basket.
  • Compressed air supply 6 is operatively connected by connecting means 7 to the bottom portion of the conduit.
  • the compressed air supply is preferably provided with a throttle, not shown. In operation of this apparatus, the compressed air forces the solution in the tank up through the conduit, circulating and aerating the solution, and empties it over the basket of compost, leaching the nutrients and microorganisms from the compost, forming or enriching a compost tea.
  • the basket is positioned above the tank so that the enriched compost tea collects in the tank below.
  • the compost tea formed according to the present invention can be applied to plants and their soils to provide nutrients and desirable microorganisms.
  • the present method and apparatus provides an air powered method of extracting compost tea from solid compost into a liquid, sprayable form.
  • the method and apparatus of the present invention allows a grower to leach composted organic matter, extracting the nutrients and microbes that exist in the compost into a liquid solution.
  • the circulation of the compost tea according to the present invention permits the microorganisms to be cultured and increase the beneficial microbes and their by-products. This solution can be injected into an irrigation system or sprayed on with a conventional sprayer.
  • the instant process and apparatus using air to power circulation for extraction and culturing of the compost tea, provides the additional advantage of minimal mechanical damage to microbes in the solution.
  • the leached solution from the compost can be further enhanced by adding nutrients such as sugar to the culture tank solution, to increase the microbial population.
  • the compost is the source of beneficial microbes and the present apparatus extracts, collects, and cultures compost tea. This tea contains and extracts the desired beneficial organisms and their by-products.

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  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Organic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Molecular Biology (AREA)
  • Biochemistry (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Biotechnology (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Microbiology (AREA)
  • Pest Control & Pesticides (AREA)
  • Fertilizers (AREA)

Abstract

Method of producing compost tea by passing an aqueous solution over and through a basket containing compost. This flow leaches and washes microorganisms and nutrients from compost and other organisms and nutrient-rich materials from the basket into the culture tank. The culture tank collects and cultures microorganisms and nutrients, creating compost tea. Compressed air is used to provide circulation instead of mechanical pumps, which can injure the organisms as they pass through.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATE APPLICATIONS
This application is based on, and claims the benefit of, Provisional application No. 60/259,236, filed Jan. 2, 2001.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to the use of compost tea. Compost tea is a solution used to condition soil for healthy growth of plants. Compost tea has been recognized as a product that can reduce or eliminate the use of pesticides and synthetic fertilizers. The positive values of compost tea have been established through University studies and practical experience.
2. Description of Related Art
Compost tea has typically been prepared by brewing compost in water. A variety of apparatus and techniques are disclosed in the “Compost Tea Brewing Manual.”
Other teachings pertinent to compost tea are found in Finn, U.S. Pat. No. 5,583,045, which relates to a compost curing and odor control system; Kerouac, U.S. Pat. No. 6,352,855, which describes an in-vessel composting process and apparatus; and Alms et al. U.S. Pat. Publication 2002/0164781. Alms et al. discloses a compost tea system including a perforate compost basket and at least one bubble generator. However, a continuing need exists for improved means for the production of compost tea that minimizes damage to the microorganisms in the tea.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The instant invention provides a method and apparatus for the efficient production of compost tea from organic matter.
Specifically, the present invention provides an apparatus for producing compost tea comprising:
a tank of aqueous solution;
an extraction basket positioned over the tank so permit flow-through from the basket into the tunk;
a fluid conduit having a first end submerged at the bottom end of the tank, and a second end positioned over the extraction basket, and
a compressed air supply operatively connected to the bottom portion of the conduit to force the aqueous solution up through the conduit.
The instant invention further provides a method for producing compost tea comprising:
placing compost in an extraction basket;
positioning the extraction basket over a tank to permit flow-through from the basket into the tank;
introducing an aqueous solution into the tank;
positioning a fluid conduit having first and second ends, the fluid conduit having a first end submerged at the bottom of the tank, and a second end positioned to impinge on the compost in the extraction basket, and
supplying compressed air to the bottom portion of the conduit to force aqueous solution up the tube and into the extraction basket.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
The Figure is a schematic, cross-sectional illustration of one embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention can be more fully understood by reference to the Figure, in which tank 1 contains water or aqueous solution 2. Extraction basket 3 is positioned above the tank. The basket contains compost 4. Fluid conduit 5 has first end 5A submerged at the bottom end of the tank, and a second end 5B positioned over the extraction basket. Compressed air supply 6 is operatively connected by connecting means 7 to the bottom portion of the conduit. The compressed air supply is preferably provided with a throttle, not shown. In operation of this apparatus, the compressed air forces the solution in the tank up through the conduit, circulating and aerating the solution, and empties it over the basket of compost, leaching the nutrients and microorganisms from the compost, forming or enriching a compost tea. The basket is positioned above the tank so that the enriched compost tea collects in the tank below.
The compost tea formed according to the present invention can be applied to plants and their soils to provide nutrients and desirable microorganisms. The present method and apparatus provides an air powered method of extracting compost tea from solid compost into a liquid, sprayable form. The method and apparatus of the present invention allows a grower to leach composted organic matter, extracting the nutrients and microbes that exist in the compost into a liquid solution. The circulation of the compost tea according to the present invention permits the microorganisms to be cultured and increase the beneficial microbes and their by-products. This solution can be injected into an irrigation system or sprayed on with a conventional sprayer.
The instant process and apparatus, using air to power circulation for extraction and culturing of the compost tea, provides the additional advantage of minimal mechanical damage to microbes in the solution.
The leached solution from the compost can be further enhanced by adding nutrients such as sugar to the culture tank solution, to increase the microbial population. The compost is the source of beneficial microbes and the present apparatus extracts, collects, and cultures compost tea. This tea contains and extracts the desired beneficial organisms and their by-products.

Claims (5)

I claim:
1. An apparatus for producing compost tea comprising:
a tank of aqueous solution;
an extraction basket positioned over the tank to permit flow-through from this basket to be collected into the tank;
a fluid conduit having a first end submerged at the bottom end of the tank, and a second end positioned over the extraction basket; and
a compressed air supply operatively connected to the bottom portion of the conduit to force the aqueous solution up through the conduit.
2. An apparatus of claim 1, wherein the compressed air supply further comprises a throttle means.
3. A method for producing compost tea comprising:
placing compost in an extraction basket;
positioning the extraction basket over a tank to permit flow through from the basket into the tank;
introducing an aqueous solution into the tank; positioning a fluid conduit having first and second ends, the fluid conduit having a first end submerged at the bottom of the tank, and a second end positioned to impinge on the compost in the extraction basket; and
supplying compressed air to the bottom portion of the conduit to force aqueous solution up through the conduit and into the extraction basket.
4. A method of claim 3 further comprising adding nutrient to the aqueous solution.
5. A method of claim 4 wherein the nutrient comprises sugar.
US10/033,132 2001-01-02 2001-12-27 Method of producing compost tea and apparatus therefor Expired - Fee Related US6767381B2 (en)

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US10/033,132 US6767381B2 (en) 2001-01-02 2001-12-27 Method of producing compost tea and apparatus therefor

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US25923601P 2001-01-02 2001-01-02
US10/033,132 US6767381B2 (en) 2001-01-02 2001-12-27 Method of producing compost tea and apparatus therefor

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Cited By (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20070019934A1 (en) * 2005-07-22 2007-01-25 Chin-Long Ku Pulse-width modulation motor speed control circuit
US20070042486A1 (en) * 2005-08-22 2007-02-22 Rollins Carole A Stablized actively aerated compost tea
US20070059819A1 (en) * 2005-09-12 2007-03-15 Progressive Gardens, Llc Dba Progress Earth Compost tea brewer
US20070175254A1 (en) * 2006-02-01 2007-08-02 Winslow Nathan E Compost Tea Apparatus and Method
US20070234769A1 (en) * 2006-04-11 2007-10-11 Winslow Nathan E Compost Tea Apparatus
US7771504B1 (en) 2006-10-03 2010-08-10 Arrowhead Center, Inc. Producing liquid organic fertilizer from organic substrates
CN104116408A (en) * 2014-07-18 2014-10-29 允慧科技(上海)有限公司 Air lift pumping device, fluid container comprising air lift pumping device, and tea making machine
US20150251965A1 (en) * 2013-03-12 2015-09-10 Russell Allen Stacy Aerated compost tea brewer
US9174884B1 (en) 2014-06-26 2015-11-03 Matthew Fingerle Closed loop compost tea brewer
WO2019231414A1 (en) 2018-05-29 2019-12-05 Supersol Organik Tarim Ve Hayvancilik Gubre Zirai Ilac Sanayi Ve Ticaret Limited Sirketi Efficient delivery of microorganisms produced from vermicomposting to soil
KR20200079675A (en) 2018-12-26 2020-07-06 강원도 Compost tea using functional compost, method of manufacturing the same and use of the same

Families Citing this family (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6649405B2 (en) * 2001-05-02 2003-11-18 Growing Solutions, Inc. Compost tea system
US6982167B2 (en) * 2002-11-19 2006-01-03 Hahn George E Apparatus for making a foliar liquid
US7351576B1 (en) * 2004-03-26 2008-04-01 Michael T. Harmon Compost tea machine
GB2420116B (en) * 2004-07-29 2009-01-28 Linda Rosalie Vickerage Biodegradable liquid compost filter system
CN112010690A (en) * 2019-05-28 2020-12-01 长春市农业机械研究院 A percolation culture device for extracting compost tea from solid organic compost

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5583045A (en) * 1995-01-30 1996-12-10 Bedminster Bioconversion Corporation Compost curing and odor control system
US6352855B1 (en) * 1999-01-12 2002-03-05 Paul E. Kerouac In-vessel composting process and apparatus
US20020164781A1 (en) * 2001-05-02 2002-11-07 Michael Alms Compost tea system

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5583045A (en) * 1995-01-30 1996-12-10 Bedminster Bioconversion Corporation Compost curing and odor control system
US6352855B1 (en) * 1999-01-12 2002-03-05 Paul E. Kerouac In-vessel composting process and apparatus
US20020164781A1 (en) * 2001-05-02 2002-11-07 Michael Alms Compost tea system

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
Ingham, E.R., "The Compost Teas Brewing Manual", Unisun Communications, LLC, Nov. 2000. *

Cited By (18)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20070019934A1 (en) * 2005-07-22 2007-01-25 Chin-Long Ku Pulse-width modulation motor speed control circuit
US7833777B2 (en) 2005-08-22 2010-11-16 Nature Technologies International Llc Stabilized actively aerated compost tea
US20070042486A1 (en) * 2005-08-22 2007-02-22 Rollins Carole A Stablized actively aerated compost tea
EP1928996A4 (en) * 2005-08-22 2009-03-25 Nature Technologies Internat L Stabilized actively aerated compost tea
US20070059819A1 (en) * 2005-09-12 2007-03-15 Progressive Gardens, Llc Dba Progress Earth Compost tea brewer
US20070175254A1 (en) * 2006-02-01 2007-08-02 Winslow Nathan E Compost Tea Apparatus and Method
US9540290B2 (en) 2006-02-01 2017-01-10 Nathan E. Winslow Compost tea apparatus
US20070234769A1 (en) * 2006-04-11 2007-10-11 Winslow Nathan E Compost Tea Apparatus
US7785866B2 (en) 2006-04-11 2010-08-31 Nathan Ernest Winslow Compost tea apparatus
US7771504B1 (en) 2006-10-03 2010-08-10 Arrowhead Center, Inc. Producing liquid organic fertilizer from organic substrates
US20150251965A1 (en) * 2013-03-12 2015-09-10 Russell Allen Stacy Aerated compost tea brewer
US9334198B2 (en) * 2013-03-12 2016-05-10 Russell Allen Stacy Aerated compost tea brewer
US9499449B2 (en) 2013-03-12 2016-11-22 Russell Allen Stacy Aerated compost tea brewer
US9174884B1 (en) 2014-06-26 2015-11-03 Matthew Fingerle Closed loop compost tea brewer
CN104116408A (en) * 2014-07-18 2014-10-29 允慧科技(上海)有限公司 Air lift pumping device, fluid container comprising air lift pumping device, and tea making machine
CN104116408B (en) * 2014-07-18 2017-02-01 允慧科技(上海)有限公司 Air lift pumping device, fluid container comprising air lift pumping device, and tea making machine
WO2019231414A1 (en) 2018-05-29 2019-12-05 Supersol Organik Tarim Ve Hayvancilik Gubre Zirai Ilac Sanayi Ve Ticaret Limited Sirketi Efficient delivery of microorganisms produced from vermicomposting to soil
KR20200079675A (en) 2018-12-26 2020-07-06 강원도 Compost tea using functional compost, method of manufacturing the same and use of the same

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